Motion-picture apparatus.



'fifiVES.

MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, 1913.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

F. E. IVES.

MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED IULY26, I9I3.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

F. E. IVES.

MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED lULY26, 19x3.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION HLED IULY26, 1913.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

wwmeoz 3Z5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EREDERIC EUGENE IVES, OF WOODCLIFFE-ON-HUDSON, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

MOTION-PICTURE APPARATUS.

Application filed July 26, 1913.

1 'u all LC/LO'IIL it may concern lie it known that I, FREDnuIc EUGENE Ivns, a citizen of the United States, residing at 'oodclifl'e-on-Hudson, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey,.have invented certain new and useful Improvements in b'lotion-Iicture Apparatus, of which the following is a specifi *ation, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to motion pictures and is applicable both to recording and exhibiting thereof. I

The invention, which pertains to a motion picture apparatus and also involves a novel method of operation, is herein shown, for convenience, as embodied ,in the generally used type of apparatus in which a picture film comprising or adapted to comprise a succession of individual images, orphotographs as they will be called, preferably attached side by side in series, is advanced adjacent to the optical instruments which are to record photographic impressions on the film, or which are to project or otherwise exhibit an appropriate series of such photo graphs, exposures being made intermittently by opening or closing a lens or otherwise, and the rapidity of the exposures being sufficient, for example, twenty per second, or more. for the purpose of affording, by persistence of vision. a substantially continuous representation of the moving subject, thus producing the motion picture.

The main object of the present invention is to afford motion pictures in color, that is to say, in the natural or approximately true colors of the original subject, and in a more satisfactory, eflicient and complete manner than heretofore.

Reproduction of motion pictures in color has heretofore been attempted by methods and means which have proved strikingly defective, and it is an object hereof to overcome such defects. The common method heretofore employed has involved the successive interposition between the film and the subject, or the curtain upon which it is reproduced, of transparent monocolor screens, each having the full area of each picture, and the several screens having different colms, for example, one red and another green. 011 alternately interposing these screens, it has been possible to reproduce the motion of the subject, and also to reproduce approximately the colors of stationary parts of the subject, but it hasbeen found impossible to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 25, 1916.

Serial No. 781,319.

reproduce the colors of rapidly moving objects of a picture, without striking the defects referred to. A typical illustration of this defect is the effect produced by a person or horse running across the picture. The

successive changes of position of the limbs would be so extensive, owing to the rapidity of movement, that there would be no superposition of the red image of the moving limbs upon the green image, and vice versa. In consequence, the observer would see a series of limbs, one all red, the next all green, and so forth, instead of an approximation of the true condition of the subject. Likewise, objects moving not so fast would have edges alternately of red and green.

By the present improvement, as will appear, such defects are eliminated. and this is accomplished by the novel method, apparatus, devices and other means hereinafter described and illustrated.

First will be described one embodiment in which the present invention may be carried out, and thereafter the novel features will b set forth in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and which are very largely diagrammatical, Figure 1 is a plan view of an exhibiting or projecting apparatus embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation for the purposes of showing the different modes of lens adjustment. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified projecting apparatus from which many ofthe details of Fig. 1 are omitted. Fig. 1, like Fig. 3, is a bare diagram in plan of a further modified projecting apparatus. Fig. 5 is a perspective elevation of certain of the parts of Fig. 1 modified, however, as to the position of the color screens. Fig. 6 shows in plan view one apparatus by which the motion pictures may be taken for exhibiting in the apparatuses of Figs. 1, 3 or -fl-. Fig. 7 is a plan diagram ent invention, there is to be an advancing film having two or sometimes three distinct series of photographs according to whether there is to be selection of two or three primary colors of the subject. These series of photographs may be closely juxtaposed or side by side, and each pair or set of photographs corresponds to simultaneous exposures representing the primary colors. For each series of photographs is a lens for taking or exhibiting, there thus being two or more separate lenses. For each color, at least for the red and green, there will be a transparent color screen in front of the film preferably between it and the lens. Between each lens and the exposing position of the corresponding series of photographs is an optical displacing device capable, for example, of a double displacement of the image. aperture or view point is provided for, and optical means interposed between that and the several lenses, the same comprising a transparent reflector so that the image may be split into several equivalent images which are displaced respectively to the several lenses.

By recording is meant the taking of the pictures for afterward developing into negatives and production of positives. By exhibiting is meant their projection on a curtain or viewing through an eye piece.

When two different colors of selection are employed they will usually be species of red and green, butthree primary colors are preferred where a more complete and accurate color reproduction is desired.

Referring to the diagram Fig. 1 which is a top view, the traveling film 11 is supposed to be advancing downward. The film has perforated margins 12, 12, for the purpose of advancing it preferably with an intermittent motion as is usual. Two primary colors are employed in this embodiment, green and red. There will, therefore, be two series of photographs, and each pair of equivalent pictures may be side by side between the margins. There is thus a vertical series of green-representative photographs or spaces 13, 13, etc., (see Fig. 5), and a similar series 14, 14, etc., for the red. Another modification Fig. 4), has a third series 15, for blue. Means for advancing the films with a step by step or other motion is indicated in the driving sprocket 16 of any usual form of driving mechanism.

In front of the exposing location of each film series is a transparent color screen which is preferably Within the space between the film and the lens, but may be elsewhere in the beam of light. Th is, the green screen 17 in front of the series 13, and the red screen 18 in front of the series 14 serve to afford selection of the green and red colors whether taking or projecting pictures. lVhen three colors are used a third screen 19 of blue may be employed, as in Fig. 4.

The screens 17 and 18 may be near the lenses, as in Fig. 1, or may be adjacent the film, as in Fig. 5.

For taking the pictures a single- As separate lenses for the different colors are proposed, there is shown in Fig. 1 a lens 21 for the green series and a lens for the red series. Of course, the lenses may be of any type and are only conventionally shown. \Yhen three colors are employed there will be a third lens 23 for the blue series of photographs.

For making successive exposures any ordinary device such as the revolving shutter 25 could be employed, and if desired there might be a separate shutter for each lens. The mechanism which drives in synchronism the film and the shutter will be well understood from so much thereof as is indicated on the drawings.

For recording motion pictures I provide a device shown in another figure for affording a single view point for the several lenses. Fig. 1 is rather for a projecting apparatus and. therefore, is provided with a condensing lens 27 of any usual type.

Any of the devices shown is adapted for making the photographs when the condenser 27 and the prisms 60 are replaced by light excluding means.

The described parts which are in front of the film 11 may all be carried upon a cas ing 29 which could be movable forwardly and rearwardly relatively to the film for focusing. Fittings 30 for such purpose are indicated in another figure. (Fig. (5).

It will be noted that the lenses 21 and 22 are relatively much farther apart than it would be practically possible to laterally space two images upon a traveling film, while to provide two separate spaced apart films would be an undesirable or prohibitive expedient. The present invention meets this situation by means of an optical displacing device or double reflector 3637 interposed between lens 21 and film 11 and preferably between the film and the screen 17. \Vhile this double reflector might take different known forms, the diagram shows it as c0nsisting of a pair of parallel mirrors 36-437. The pencil of light from the condenser through the film portion 13 is diverted by mirror 36 from its forward direction and laterally displaced by an amount equal to the transverse distance between mirrors 36 and 37, and the latter mirror reflects it forwardly again in the original direction. In consequence of the increased optical distance the lens 21 is located not at its normal distance from the film, but is offset rear wardly an amount equal to the lateral displacement of the image. The lens 22 not being thus offset. it will be found that the displacement distance equals the axial difference in position between lenses 21 and 22.

If desired. the red image and lens 22 could be displaced toward the right by an amount equal to the leftward displacement of the green image and lens 21. Such an apparatus is afforded by Fig. 6 if the optical parts forward of the lenses be removed. The lenses thus are brought equidistant from the curtain. The slight distance, however, in Fig. 1 in thisrespect is immaterial.

Further details of Fig. 1 diagram will be hereinafter referred to.

The modification of Fig. 3 differs principally from Figs. 1 and '5 by the substitution of a solid glass prism 36, 37 for the pair of separate mirrors for displacing the green image.

The modification ofFig. 4 differs in that the red lens and image are displaced by reflector 38, 39, rightward symmetrically to the displacement leftward of the green lens and image, and in the introduction between the green and red series of a blue series involving the employment of a third. lens 23 and, if desired, a blue screen 19.

The motion pictures might be recorded or taken by means of various optical arrangements, some heretofore devised by me, or by the improved apparatus shown in Fig. 6 in which the film 11 has a green-representing series 13 and a red-representing series 14 of photographs with a lens 21 or for each and a displacing device 3637 or 3839 between the film and each lens. The 'lenses 21 and 22 in this figure and in Fig. 1 are independently adjustable for wardly and baclnvardly permitting original focusing after which the lenses may be moved together by device 30. Other lens adjustments are to be hereinafter described. The forward part of the casing or frame comprises a detachable portion 41 which is secured in place for taking the motion pictures, but which if removed would permit the-apparatus to be employed for projecting. Thefront wall of the casing 41 has a single aperture at 42 behind the shutter affording a single view point for both series of photographs. The following optical apparatus between aperture 42 and the lenses is carried by and removable with the detachable casing portion 41. To divide or split the image into two separate equivalent images, a transparent reflector 43 is placed at an angle, as shown, so that part of the light passes through it and part is reflected laterally. In some cases, the transparent reflector 43 might be colored thus dispensing with the color screen 17. Associated with the reflector 43 is another reflector 44 parallel therewith, the two acting in con unction to displace the light rays laterally and send them through the lens-22 in their original direction. The rays pass.- ing through the transparent reflector are doubly reflected by a pair of mirrors 4546 thus effecting an equivalent displacement to the lens 21. The light travel to the rear of thelenses has already been explained and 1s diagrammatically shownin Fig. 6. :By

the described arrangement it will be seen that the entering light passes by two routes of exactly equivalent length, affording one .image for each side of the traveling film 11.

By operating the shutter 25 and the driving apparatus 16 in conjunction, we are thus enabled to take a double series of photographs upon a film which may be employed in the apparatus of Figs. 1 0r 3 for reproducing the original subject in motion and color. There being two lenses, I have provided especially in the projecting apparatus a means of adjusting one lens horizontally with respect to the other, and one lens vertically with respect to the other for permitting exact registry upon the curtain to be secured. Each lens possesses an inner sleeve 51 capable of sliding axially within asliding outer flange 52. An adjusting screw 53 may be employed for axial adjustment. In Figs. 1 and 2 no further fittings for lens 21 are shown, and both the vertical and horizontal adjustments referred to are, provided for lens 22. Thus the outer sleeve 52 of the mounting of lens 22 is carried upon a slid-' ing block 54 capable of sliding horizontally with respect to a second sliding block 55 which in turn is capable of sliding vertically in the casing or frame. A micrometer adjusting screw 56 carried "on the second sliding block 55 affords a means of minute adjustment horizontally of the first sliding block and lens. A similar micrometer screw 57 mounted on the casing permits a fine vertical adjustment of the second sliding block and lens. Owing to the fact that a single condenser 27 is shown as serving for both photograph series, for example in Fig. 1, only one-half-or a semicircle of the condenser is operative for each series. The resalt is that the beam of light through each photograph is slightly inclined from axial This may be simply oflset by any desired transparent reflectors and two opaque re-- fiectors. The light from a single view point strikes the transparent reflector 43 and is partly displaced to the mirror 44 thence to lens 22. Another portion of the light passing through reflector 43 strikes transparent reflector 45 and is there partly reflected to mirror.46 thence to lens 21. The balance of the light passes through both transparent reflectors to lens 23. The proportion of transmission and reflection of reflectors 43 and 45 may be so determined as to bring the proper proportions of light to the red, green and blue-re 'nesenting parts of the film 11.

To avoid the effects of light passing by incorrect route to the sensitive film and thereby spoiling the pictures, I prefer in all the recording apparatuses hereof and sometimes in the projecting apparatuses, to add in front of the casing a limiting aperture. Thus in Fig. 7 in front of aperture i2 is seen another aperture 62. This prevents light entering obliquely through aperturelatl and avoids the ill effects mentioned. Preferably the limiting aperture 62 is formed in a plate (53 which may be movable forwardly and backwardly for adjustment of the limiting effect, and connected if desired by a bellows 6% to the casing or body of the apparatus. The function of the second aperture (32 or limiting diaphragm, as it may be termed, will be better understood by considering the possible defective results from its omission. In an apparatus of this kind where lenses and double reflecting axial displacement devices are employed to the rear of the primary aperture it might be possible for light rays from objects outside of the field of the normal cone to pass by direct route to and through the lenses so as to eventually reach the sensitive film in a manner to produce a confusion of different objects. Referring to Fig. 7 a sufficiently oblique line passing through aperture l2 may, for example, be directed between the reflectors 45 and i6 or between 43 and 44: so as to reach the lenses without axial displacement and so as to thereby eventually transmit to the film an image of an object outside of the normal field. The limiting diaphragm (32 is of such size and located at such distance in advance of the first or normal aperture as to admit passage of the normal cone of light rays from the objects photographed but to cut off all light rays from objects situated outside of the field of said normal cone. The size and position of the limiting aperture are thus easily determined and the distance will, in the character of apparatus shown, usually exceed 12 inches and sometimes 20 inches distance from the primary aperture 42. The aperture (32 should be as large as the normal light cone to admit all of the light from the subject.

It should be stated that the optical displacement devices in front of the lenses serving to separate the light beam into two parts and relatively displace them are important, apart from the other features hereof, in combination with the lenses having their spaced apart relation and the film adapted to bear simultaneously produced images, this arrangement enabling a single View point for simultaneously making the exposures for both images, for example, the red selection and the green selection images, whatever be the relation of the images on the film.

It will thus be seen that I have described a procedure and apparatus embodying the principles and attaining 'the objects and advantages set forth, and other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Since many matters of design, arrangement, detail and other features might be varied without departing from the principles hereof, no limitation to features is intended excepting as set forth in the appended claims.

iVhat is claimed is:

1. Color motion picture apparatus including in combination, mechanism for advancing a single strip of film having a plurality of adjacent series of image spaces representingthe colors selected, a plurality of adjustable and relatively large sized lenses in front of the film, and spaced apart with parallel axes separated further than the centers of the respective image spaces, and optical lateral parallel displacement means between film and lens for bringing lens and image space into optical registry while maintaining the direction of the light axis.

2. Color motion picture apparatus including in combination, mechanism for advancing a single strip of film having a plurality of adjacent series of image spaces represent ing the colors selected, a plurality of relatively large lenses in front of the film, and spaced apart with parallel axes separated further than the centers of therespective image spaces, means for effecting relative lateral adjustment of a lens while maintaining its parallelism, and optical lateral parallel displacement means between fihn and lens for bringing lens and image space into optical registry while maintaining the direction of the light axis.

3. Color motion picture apparatus including in combination, a single strip of film having a plurality of adjacent series of image spaces representing the colors selected, mechanism for advancing said film, a plurality of adjustable and relatively large sized lenses in front of the film, and spaced apart with parallel axes separated further than the centers of the respective image spaces, and optical lateral parallel displacement means between film and lens for bringing lens and image space into optical registry while maintaining the direction of the light axis.

4. Color motion picture apparatus including in combination, a single strip of filmhaving a plurality of adjacent series of image spaces representing the colors selected,

mechanism for advancing said film, a plurality of lenses in front of the film, and spaced apart with parallel axes separated further than the centers of the respective image spaces, and optical lateral parallel displacement means between film and lens for bringing lens and image space into optical registry while maintaining the direction of the light axis, and a second optical displacement means located in front of the lenses and between them and a single front aperture or light-axis.

5. Color motion picture apparatus includingincombihation, a single strip of film having a plurality of adjacent series of image spaces representing the colors selected,

mechanism for advancing said film, a plurality. of lenses in front of the film, and spaced apart with parallel axes separated further than the centers of the respective image spaces, and optical lateral parallel displacement means between film and lens for bringing lens and image space into optical registry while maintaining the direction of the light axis, and a second optical displacement means, including a transparent reflector'coiiperating with other reflectors, located infront of the lenses and between them and a single front aperture or light axis.

6. Color motion picture recording apparatus including in combination, mechanism for advancing a single strip of film having a plurality of adjacent series of image spaces representing the colors selected, a plurality of lenses in front of the film, and spaced apart with parallel axes separated further than the centers of the respective image spaces, and optical lateral parallel displacement means between film and lens for bringing lens and image space into optical reg-' istry while maintaining the direction of the light axis, and a second optical displacement means located in front of the lenses and be tween them and an aperture giving a single light entrance or viewpoint.

Color motion picture recording apparatus including in combination, mechanism for advancing a single strip of film having a plurality of adjacent series of image spaces representing the colors selected, a plurality of lenses in front of the film, and spaced apart with parallel axes separated further than the centers of the respective image spaces, and optical lateral parallel displacement means between film and lens for bringing lens and image space into optical registry while maintaining the direction of the light axis, and a second optical displacement means, including a transparent reflector, located in front of the lenses and between them and an aperture giving a single light entrance or viewpoint.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERIC EUGENE IVES. Witnesses;

WM. J. Down, A. LAWSON. 

